[356][Greek: Hon Cheiron edidaxe dikaiotatos Kentauron.]

The like character is given of him by Hermippus, of Berytus.

[357][Greek: Houtos]
[Greek: Eis te dikaiosunen thneton genos egage, deixas]
[Greek: Horkon, kai thusias hilaras, kai schemat' Olumpou.]

Right was probably more fairly determined in the Chironian temples, than in
others. Yet the whole was certainly attended with some instances of
cruelty: for human sacrifices are mentioned as once common, especially at
Pella in Thessaly; where, if they could get a person, who was an Achean by
birth, they used to offer him at the altars of Peleus and [358]Chiron.

There were many edifices denominated Chironian, and sacred to the Sun.
Charon was of the same purport, and etymology; and was sacred to the same
Deity. One temple of this name, and the most remarkable of any, stood
opposite to Memphis on the western side of the Nile. It was near the spot
where most people of consequence were buried. There is a tower in this
province, but at some distance from the place here spoken of, called
[359]Kiroon at this day. As Charon was a temple near the catacombs, or
place of burial; all the persons who were brought to be there deposited,
had an offering made on their account, upon being landed on this shore.
Hence arose the notion of the fee of Charon, and of the ferryman of that
name. This building stood upon the banks of a canal, which communicated
with the Nile: but that which is now called Kiroon, stands at some distance
to the west, upon the lake [360]Moeris; where only the kings of Egypt had a
right of sepulture. The region of the catacombs was called the Acheronian
and [361]Acherusian plain, and likewise the Elysian: and the stream, which
ran by it, had the name of Acheron. They are often alluded to by Homer, and
other Poets, when they treat of the region of departed souls. The Amonians
conferred these names upon other places, where they settled, in different
parts of the world. They are therefore to be met with in [362]Phrygia,
[363]Epirus, [364]Hellas, [365]Apulia, [366]Campania, and other countries.
The libri [367]Acherontii in Italy, mentioned by Arnobius, were probably
transcripts from some hieroglyphical writings, which had been preserved in
the Acherontian towers of the Nile. These were carried by Tages to
Hetruria; where they were held in great veneration.

As towers of this sort were seminaries of learning, Homer from one